Avoidance and Procrastination

For some people, it's spiders. Or snakes. Or homework. Or forms. Or the doctor. Or the dentist. You get where I'm going, right? That Thing! It starts as a natural reaction to perceived threat or danger accompanied by aversion, which is a common hurdle when overcoming avoidance. Many find that psychotherapy techniques, particularly trauma informed therapy, can help address these fears and promote healthier responses.

Sometimes we associate the task with unpleasantness, making overcoming avoidance challenging. Occasionally, we're anxious about our ability to execute it well, which can be addressed through various psychotherapy techniques. Additionally, we may carry negative associations tied to macro or micro trauma, emphasizing the importance of trauma informed therapy in our healing process.

Ironically, the more we focus on overcoming avoidance, the more energy we expend. It's reminiscent of those Star Trek episodes where the ship's power, trying to escape Dark Matter, is used against it, leading to failures in life support and other functions. In our lives, this dynamic often manifests as anxiety, dissociation, and depression. Employing psychotherapy techniques, particularly trauma informed therapy, can help address these issues and restore our sense of vitality.

Your attention is focused on avoiding The Thing you have to do. This tendency to avoid can be addressed through overcoming avoidance strategies, as the more you sidestep it, the bigger it gets—sometimes quite literally. Like the bill you 'forgot' to pay that has grown with the interest charged, or the $350 cavity you're dodging that has now escalated to a $1600 crown. (Can you tell I have a fear of dentists?) Utilizing psychotherapy techniques, particularly those rooted in trauma informed therapy, can help break this cycle of avoidance.

You've heard the phrase "FEAR = False Evidence Appearing Real?" How about Face Endeavors Audaciously Rightaway! Overcoming avoidance is key to personal growth. Courage isn't about being fearless; it's about tackling challenging and scary tasks anyway. You can practice this by employing psychotherapy techniques that scaffold less intimidating tasks first, especially in a trauma informed therapy context.

There is a part of our brain called the Mid-Cingulate Cortex that serves as a key hub for overcoming avoidance and leaning into undesired effort. The more we engage in those little tasks we dislike, the bigger and stronger this area becomes, much like developing a muscle that enhances our physical capacity. 

Scientists believe that this region of the brain is not only the seat of willpower but also represents our Will to Live. To effectively grow the MCC and combat avoidance, it is essential to repeatedly practice doing The Thing. Over time, it gets easier. I can personally attest to this as I once struggled with procrastination, but through various psychotherapy techniques, including trauma-informed therapy, I learned to push through.